German leaders tried to contain the diplomatic fallout from their espionage row with Washington on Friday, facing U.S. frustration with Berlin over its dramatic ejection of the top U.S. spy there.

Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he would seek to „reinvigorate our friendship on a frank basis" when he meets Secretary of State John Kerry this weekend. The spokesman for Chancellor Angela Merkel, echoing other top officials, told reporters that cooperation with the U.S. was "indispensable."